Reading Undine brought a different perspective to humans vs. merpeople. The different readings we have explored illustrated mermaids as either symbols of sin, vanity, temptation, or as embodiments of higher power such that we saw in Oannes. Undine made their existence seem almost depressing and merely insignificant.
In Undine, Friedrich De La Motte Fouque, draws a connection between various natural elements and these “soulless” creatures while highlighting some fundamental flaws that come with having a soul. Specifically, he notes how these creatures wish to be human because “all beings aspire to be higher than they are” (Penguin, 105). In other words, human life does not really end. Our bodies are just temporary placeholders of our soul/spirit, and upon death we move on to a higher place. Undine explains how unlike humans, other creatures upon death just “vanish into dust,” highlighting how insignificant existence really is for them. Fouque ties nature into it by highlighting that upon death they just remain on earth with the wind, trees, and waves. Their existence ends and just turns into meaningless dust.
Although Fouque illustrates these creatures’ lives being insignificant, he also points out a how flawed humans are by bringing to light Undine’s husband’s betrayal. Even though he accepts her, he ends up betraying her for Bertalda. It poses the question, would you rather metaphysically exist forever with negative elements or would you rather get one life and make the most out of it before turning into dust?
There are good ideas here, but I want to push your explication skills to practice for your essay. You nicely use a quote, but then you write, “In other words, human life does not really end. Our bodies are just temporary placeholders of our soul/spirit, and upon death we move on to a higher place.” Where exactly in the quote do you see this? I see the quote as focusing on “aspire,” so can you explain your “in other words”? Keep going!
Hi Hiba! I found your insights here very interesting! I think the connection between inhuman creatures “vanishing to dust” and humans dying suggests a greater idea that I would be super interested in diving into. Both creatures and humans have souls, showing that we might not be so different after all.
Hi Hiba,
I really like your perspective on Undine’s story being about humanity vs. merpeople. When I read it, I interpreted it as Undine being appreciative of humanity in a similar way that one culture would view another culture. I generally do agree with the idea that all beings aspire to be greater than they are, but I took that as an explanation as to why people allow themselves to have goals. I love the idea that human bodies are placeholders for our souls but I feel that there is also a lot of value in talking about how that idea relates to the goals of the “evil” mermaids, or the church who’s goal was to shape society based on the teachings of the bible.